LEAGUE RULES:

Protests will be decided on by League executive (Gerry, Tara, plus one team rep from each team not involved in protest. President only votes if tied.)

There will be a $50 fine for missing a League meeting without calling a League official and a twenty-five dollar fine for being late to a meeting without notifying a league official.

All teams must purchase League insurance.

All teams playing out of Melrose will split field and light costs for the regular season games only (exception Mudhens).

Winning team responsible for calling Intelligencer613-962-9171 and CJBQ 613-968-4737 with score and brief highlights, and team record.

REGULAR SEASON:

The following monies will be awarded at the end of the regular season:

1st - $250

2nd- $175

3rd- $100

4th - $50

Each team is allowed an unlimited number of players, of which one coach and two assistant coaches may be named. Any player may coach first or third.

All teams must deliver a team roster along with the players’ fees by Monday June 4, 2018. Any team that fails to meet that deadline will have 7 days’ grace to produce the roster and fees. Failing to do so will result in forfeiture of any games won.

Each player must pay $25 to the league to be signed on a league roster and be covered under the group insurance plan.

Any new team gaining entry into the league must post a $200 bond. This money will be returned to the team at the end of the year if they complete the schedule (and playoffs if applicable) with no forfeits. They must also pay field costs up front (for the first year only).

New teams entering the league can only take a maximum of 2 players per team with a release from their current team. More than 2 players can be released with the approval of the coach and the president of the league. The coach and the president have the right to refuse the release of additional players.

The 2018 season will consist of 23 games.

A team may begin with 8 players, but no less. When the 9th spot in the batting order comes up with no one, the game will be forfeited. In the event of forfeiture due to lack of players, that team will cover field and umpire cost.

One game played commits player to that team for the season, extraordinary circumstances may create exceptions.

No release will be granted to a player who owes money to his previous team until such time as the money is paid and all uniforms returned. Any player playing without said release in writing to a league official will result in automatic forfeit.

Players shall wear the same shirt, except newly signed player to make 9. This may mean trading shirts with another player who is not in the game. Umpires and coaches are to enforce this rule – no shirt, no play.

Helmets must be worn on bases (insurance purposes).

No infield to be taken on nights of double headers. Game 1 will start at 6:15 sharp, with no new inning to start after 8:15 (umpire’s watch or designate). The second game of a regular season double header will start as early as possible upon completion of first game, but no later than 8:45. As for Game 2 of a double header, no new inning shall start after 11:15.

Home team to supply 3 NEW BALLS to start game. Used balls may be submitted to game after 3 new ones are given to umpire.

To speed up game, if a ball leaves the playing field, it cannot be put back into play until the next batter comes to bat (umpire’s decision, e.g. 4 foul balls in a row).

A mercy rule will be used if one team is winning by at least 10 runs after 5 innings (regular season only).

Designated hitter rule in effect. Lose DH if DH enters defensive position in field. You may pinch-hit for DH without losing DH.

All regular season games vs. Mudhens everyone present may be put on batting list and unlimited substitutions!

No game shall end due to legitimate injury or ejection (umpire’s decision). Last player removed from the game may re-enter in that spot in the order. Players not signed may be played in game to make nine players and for the entire season and must pay $25 to do so. This fee is to be paid immediately upon completion of the game.

RE-ENTRY RULE:

Maximum 2 re-entries per game involving four players.

For example (this is 1 re-entry for purpose of this rule):

Tom enters game for Jack.

Jack was batting third, so Tom must bat third.

​ Jack re-enters for Tom and must bat third.

* Tom is then out of game and cannot re-enter.

The re-entry rule is in effect for the regular season ONLY!

It is the home team’s responsibility to cancel games due to field conditions or rain. They must call the visiting team coach and also the umpire in chief. Raeanne McGuinness (TWP Recreation Programmer) can be reached in the office at 613-396-1944 until 4 pm or on cell at 613-849-7000. Jim’s cell phone is 613-968-0441 and he usually will know the field condition in Melrose.

It is the home team’s responsibility to schedule rainouts within two weeks. They must also notify umpire in chief of date and time to ensure availability of umpires. Failure to do so will result in game forfeit.

Any scheduled game that is cancelled must have new date of game within 2 weeks scheduled.

PLAYOFFS:

All players must play 3 games to be eligible to play in playoffs. Must prove if challenged, by scorebook; no proof, no play. League-approved coach is exempt from rule, as are the Mudhens.

The following monies will be awarded at the end of the playoff schedule:

A Champ: $300 A Runner-up: $250

If two or more teams are tied at the end of the regular schedule, the following will determine placement:

1) Most games won in regular schedule.

2) Best record against each other.

3) Least runs allowed against each other.

PLAYOFF SETUP:

Top 8 teams will make the playoffs and play for the league championship. 1st vs. 8th, 2nd vs. 7th, 3rd vs. 6th and 4th vs. 5th. All rounds being 4 out of 7 series (new for 2016).

Playoff games must be 7 innings. If tied at the end of seven, teams will play until tie is broken or lights go out. Rules of baseball apply in case of rainout. Tie will be broken prior to next scheduled game in the series.

Once playoff schedule is made (dates and times), they are not to be altered without the permission of the league president.

Monday of August long weekend and Labour Day are not considered a long weekend for the purposes of scheduling.

There must be two umpires for all playoff games; three may be required if agreed on any elimination playoff game.

Last two full weeks, umpires must not be players unless cleared by league executive or only 1 shows up.

UMPIRES:

Umpire fees: $50 and 40.

Umpires require one full hour notice of cancellation.

If only one umpire attends, during the regular season, a spectator may be asked to umpire the bases with all monetary rights and suspensions if deemed necessary by the League.

In case of a defaulted game (before or after it starts), the umpires will be paid in full. If a game is rained out before it starts and the umpires are at the field, they will receive half pay. Once a game starts and is called for any reason, the umpires shall be paid in full.

EJECTIONS AND SUSPENSIONS:

Player ejected from game will miss the next game and be fined – (1st ejection = $20, 2nd = $30, 3rd= $40, etc.) and payable to a League official. He is ineligible to play until he pays the fine, playoffs included. Players may buy back into the next game for double the fine amount, subject to the type of suspension. League executive will decide any additional number of games. Umpires must report all ejections to Umpire-in-Chief, who in turn will inform League officials.

Any team protesting a game must do so in writing with$100 within 48 hours to the League President. All decisions are final. If you lose the protest, you lose $100. Only rule misinterpretations may be protested.